Acetylenic carbon allotrope

A fourth allotrope of carbon, an acetylenic carbon allotrope, is described. The acetylenic carbon allotropes of the present invention are more soluble than the other known carbon allotropes in many common organic solvents and possesses other desirable characteristics, e.g. high electron density, ability to burn cleanly, and electrical conductive properties. Many uses for this fourth allotrope are described herein.

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Claims

1. A stable carbon compound, comprising:

substantially --C.tbd.C-- repeat units in a carbon chain which is endcapped and having a total number of carbon atoms which is greater than thirty-two not including the end capping groups.

2. The carbon compound of claim 1 which has a formula as follows:

wherein X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are each independently capping end groups; and
n is an integer greater than 16.

3. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer from 25 to 50.

4. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer from 51 to 100.

5. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer from 101 to 200.

6. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer from 201 to 400.

7. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer from 401 to 1000.

8. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer from 1001 to 5000.

9. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer between 5001 and 10000.

10. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein the capping end groups are non-reactive.

11. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein the capping end groups block interchain hydrogen transfer.

12. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein n is an integer between 10,001 to 100,000.

13. The carbon compound of claim 2 wherein the capping end groups are each independently selected from the group consisting of tert-butyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, nitrile, phenyl and triethylsilyl.

14. An enriched composition, comprising:

an acetylenic carbon allotrope having greater than thirty-two carbon atoms bound to each other via alternating single and triple bonds in an enriched form.

15. The enriched composition of claim 14 wherein the carbon atoms in the allotrope are linearly arranged.

16. The enriched composition of claim 14 wherein the carbon atoms in the allotrope form a ring.

17. A stable endcapped acetylenic carbon allotrope, comprising:

greater than thirty two carbon atoms arranged between two capping end groups forming a stable endcapped acetylenic carbon allotrope.

18. An endcapped acetylenic carbon allotrope of claim 17 wherein the carbon atoms are linearly arranged.

19. An essentially fullerene-free acetylenic carbon allotrope, comprising:

greater than thirty-two carbon atoms bound to each other via alternating single and triple bonds forming an acetylenic carbon allotrope, said allotrope being essentially free of fullerene.

20. A soluble carbon allotrope, comprising:

greater than thirty-two linearly arranged carbon atoms forming a soluble carbon allotrope which is soluble in solvents which differ from toluene and molten metals.

21. An acetylenic carbon allotrope, comprising:

greater than thirty-two linearly arranged carbon atoms having a thermal stability such that the allotrope does not crosslink at temperatures below 130.degree. C.

22. A purified acetylenic carbon allotrope, comprising:

greater than thirty-two linearly arranged carbon atoms forming a pure acetylenic carbon allotrope.

23. A stable endcapped acetylenic carbon allotrope, comprising:

greater than thirty-two carbon atoms linearly arranged between two end groups forming a stable endcapped acetylenic carbon allotrope, provided that at least one of the end groups is not a triethyl silyl protecting group.

24. A composition of an acetylenic carbon allotrope, comprising:

an acetylenic carbon allotrope in an amount of at least 0.5 grams.

25. The composition of claim 24 wherein the amount is at least 1.0 grams.

26. The composition of claim 25 wherein the amount is at least 2.0 grams.

27. A solution of an carbon allotrope, comprising:

a carbon allotrope dissolved in a solvent, provided that the solvent is not toluene or a molten metal.

28. A solution of an carbon allotrope, comprising:

a carbon allotrope dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, deuterochloroform, acetonitrile, acetone, and deuteroacetone.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4020265 April 26, 1977 White
4273906 June 16, 1981 Economy et al.
4362680 December 7, 1982 Kobayashi et al.
4410640 October 18, 1983 Kobayshi et al.
4496702 January 29, 1985 Bolt et al.
4672093 June 9, 1987 Wrek et al.
5304583 April 19, 1994 Ogawa
Other references
Patent History
Patent number: 5716708
Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 19, 1995
Date of Patent: Feb 10, 1998
Inventor: Richard J. Lagow (Austin, TX)
Primary Examiner: Archene Turner
Attorneys: Elizabeth A. Hanley, Mark D. Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Russett
Application Number: 8/375,115
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Self-sustaining Carbon Mass Or Layer With Impregnant Or Other Layer (428/408); Elemental Carbon (423/445R); Cyclic Anhydride (525/285); 526/3281
International Classification: C08F 450;